elobeatlesforever (elobf) was originally launched in February 2009 to campaign for the release of the original, full 18-track version of ELO's seminal 1983 album 'Secret Messages' including that long-lost gem 'Beatles Forever'. ELOBF has now expanded in scope to also include news on all things ELO; highlighting those links with its progenitors The Beatles and The Move whilst also reporting on ELO's many incarnations; friends; relatives and interested parties.

Friday, 31 March 2017

Hello ... Hello ... my old friends ... It's great to see you once again! Spring into Summer 2017 means that once again it's "Time" for the latest elobeatlesforever (elobf) Quarterly Gig Guide #27! Please find a list of selected gigs below (with more to follow when confirmed) between Saturday 1st April and Friday 30th June during Q2 2017 (plus some individual artist links) for you to peruse thus:

Jeff Lynne's ELO After a stint with classic Birmingham bands The Idle Race and The Move, Jeff Lynne co-founded The Electric Light Orchestra in 1971, one of the most successful groups of the seventies and eighties. Multiple hit singles and best selling albums followed making Jeff's anthemic ELO songs some of the most loved and recognisable of the last four decades. Jeff went on to a successful solo career and worked with many of his musical heroes including Brian Wilson, Paul McCartney, Del Shannon and The Everly Brothers. He also found time to co-found the ultimate 'supergroup' in The Traveling Wilburys, who included pals Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, George Harrison and Roy Orbison in their ranks. Find out what the driving force and creative mind behind ELO is currently up to via his official web site thus: www.jefflynneselo.com

Roy Wood The co-founder of The Move and ELO and the founder of Wizzard, The Helicopters et al will [hopefully] be on the road again during 2017! Find out where to see Dr. Roy Wood and what he is up to with his Rock 'n' Roll Band via his official web site thus: www.roywood.co.uk

The OrchestraFormer members of ELO and ELO Part II: Mik Kaminski, Louis Clark, Eric Troyer, Parthenon Huxley, Glen Burtnik and Gordon Townsend continue to tour the world extensively. Find out where to see them via their official web site thus: www.theorchestra.net

QuillLegendary Midlands Celtic tinged Americana rockers Quill, led by the incomparable Joy Strachan-Brain, have built up an impressive live reputation over a four decade span and now feature Tony Kelsey and Abby Brant in their ranks. Find out where to see them via their official web site thus: www.quilluk.com

The Trevor Burton BandA co-founding member of The Move, Trevor Burton can be found performing regularly at various venues in the Midlands with his fantastic band. Find out where on their web site thus: www.thetrevorburtonband.co.uk

The ELO ExperienceBased in Hull, The ELO Experience deservedly won the National UK Tribute Awards in 2013 and they continue to faithfully reproduce classic Electric Light Orchestra hits (and more) live. Find out where to see them now via their official web site thus: www.elotribute.com

ELO AgainBased in South Wales, ELO Again are now spreading their wings across the UK to faithfully recreate live those ELO hits we all know and love. Find out where to see them now via their official web site thus: www.eloagain.co.uk

Explosive Light OrchestraNot only an ELO tribute act but an original, independent artiste in their own right, The Explosive Light Orchestra - also known as Symphonika - have reproduced the exciting works of ELO at packed theatres and live music venues all around Europe. Find out where to see them now via their official web site thus: www.elotributeband.com

ELO Light YearsA new ELO tribute band and another from South Wales, ELO Light Years are headed up by Jim Ramsey alongside Mike 'Chas' Holcombe, Gaelle Favre, Sarah Waycott, Richard Watson, Robin Davey and Claire Brewster with Angharad and Rhiannon Griffiths. Find out where to see them now via their official web site thus: www.elolightyears.com

The ELO EncounterAnother new ELO tribute band, this time from Essex, The ELO Encounter feature Simon Rownes and three members of his family: Jack, Max and Henry alongside Martin Donald, Jasmine Ali and Simon Dove. Find out where to see them now via their official web site thus: www.elo-encounter.co.uk

The Trembling WilburysOne of two world class UK based Traveling Wilburys' tribute bands, The Trembling Wilburys were founded by drummer Dave Stark in 2010 and feature Dave Collison as Roy Orbison and Glen Knowler as George Harrison performing Wilburys and solo classics to rave reviews. The septet also feature top guitarist Dzal Martin, Andy McNish, Marko Laver and Howard Robin. Find out where to see them now via their official web site thus: www.tremblingwilburys.co.uk

The Big O & The Traveling Wilburys Tribute ShowOne of two world class UK based Traveling Wilburys' tribute bands, The Big O & The Traveling Wilburys Tribute Show are a multi-talented group featuring Paul Hopkins as Roy Orbison performing Wilburys and solo classics to rave reviews. The sextet is completed by Richard Gibson, Owen James, Aubrey Robinson, Matt Gaffiney and Andrew Whittaker. Find out where to see them now via their official web site thus: www.travelingwilburystribute.co.uk

The artistes and shows listed above are recommended by Yours Truly KJS and elobeatlesforever (elobf). This listing is not exhaustive. Please contact elobf should you wish events to be considered for the above roster. It'll be nice to bump into you at some of the above gigs for a chat!Until next "Time" in the ELO [and related] Universe ... KJS ... 31-March-2017

Wednesday, 29 March 2017

Hello ... Hello ... my old friends ... It's great to see you once again! Stand Up & Rock! is back after a year off. And didn't we know it last night (Monday 27th March) as Jasper Carrott and lifelong pal Bev Bevan returned to launch their revamped show at The Place in Oakengates (Telford) and proceeded to not only entertain but delight a third full house.

Featuring equal portions of the classic comedy genius of Jasper Carrott (including his sidesplitting insurance claim renditions) and a truly wonderful if not inspired musical journey led by Bev 'Basher' Bevan (with new female vocalist Suzi Woo delivering some fantastic vocals in an outstanding debut). There were new songs and old friends within a refreshed set list kicked off by "Let There Be Drums" and closed out with a certain familiar, anthemic ELO double salvo. In between, the talents of Phil Tree, Geoff Turton, Abby Brant and Musical Director Tony Kelsey were combined in a hugely enjoyable performance with Beatles and Motown medleys nicely positioned between storming live interpretations of classics by the likes of Carole King, The Rolling Stones, Dusty Springfield, Joe Cocker, Black Sabbath, Jennifer Warnes, The Who, Tina Turner and Status Quo (and not a few others).

Yours Truly KJS usually includes a set list in my gig reviews for elobf but on this occasion I've decided to keep you in suspense to encourage you to go see the show (where it is not already sold out) and not spoil later attendees theatrical pleasure. Needless to say, there's plenty in this show to please fans of ELO, The Beatles and 'Brum Beat'.

Sunday, 26 March 2017

Hello ... Hello ... my old friends ... It's great to see you once again! Spring 1986: It had been the best part of three years since the ELO studio album "Secret Messages" had been released and Yours Truly KJS was more than pleasantly surprised when I heard "Calling America" on Radio 1 and mentions of a new album. I also remember trawling my local HMV record store in Wolverhampton for the single and having to ask an assistant for it because I couldn't initially find it on account of the bright red sleeve and completely new ELO logo.

"Balance Of Power" charted for 12 weeks reaching #9 in its second week ...

Perhaps because the album was missing both the ELO logo so familiar with fans since it appeared on the embossed sleeve of "A New World Record" in 1976 and it was released via Epic Records rather than Jet Records. "Balance Of Power" (EPC26467) peaked at #9 with lead single "Calling America" sadly stalling at #28, a modest chart performance that could well have been as a result of a negative perception of the new logo as well as the band now being a trio of Jeff Lynne, Bev Bevan and Richard Tandy (minus, of course, the departed Kelly Groucutt) plus the fact than even with ten tracks, the running time was barely over 34 minutes with three songs under three minutes in length. Indeed, "Balance Of Power"had the feel of a band signing off.

Looking back, much as I loved "Balance Of Power" (the expanded 2007 remaster was, in my opinion, the best in the series), I can't help thinking that the change in image may have caught out the casual record (and cassette) buying public if not some ELO fans. If the album artwork had somehow retained the instantly recognisable ELO logo, one does wonder if both the album and singles would have been more commercially successful, even though ELO fans and collectors were treated to to 7" and 12" issues of all three singles - namely "Calling America" (A6844), "So Serious" (A7090) and "Getting To The Point" (A7317) - for the first time. Happily, both "Zoom" and "Alone In The Universe" saw the return of the traditional ELO symbology ... and long may it continue!

Until next "Time" in the ELO [and related] Universe ... KJS ... 26-March-2017

Friday, 24 March 2017

Hello ... Hello ... my old friends ... It's great to see you once again! It was duly confirmed earlier today (Friday 24th March) that Keane frontman Tom Chaplin and British country duo The Shires will "Follow Me Follow" in the footsteps of The Feeling and The Shoos in supporting Jeff Lynne's ELO during their four show arena and stadium dates in June and July later this year. Tom will perform at all four Summer gigs whilst The Shires will bolster the support roster for the outdoor stadium shows at Wembley Stadium and Hull.

Tom Chaplin is, of course, best known for his association with Brit pop/rock band Keane - who are currently on a break between albums. His debut solo album "The Wave" reached #3 in the UK Album Chart in October 2016. The Shires - who are Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes - started out back in 2013 and have enjoyed considerable chart success with their two studio albums to date: "Brave" and "My Universe" peaking at #10 and #3 respectively here in the UK, both also certified Gold. Both artistes are sure to add some musical variety to the Jeff Lynne's ELO shows in Sheffield (Wednesday 21st June), London (Saturday 24th June), Glasgow (Wednesday 28th June) and Hull (Saturday 1st July).

Yours Truly KJS and elobeatlesforever (elobf) will be seated in Block B4 for the Wembley Stadium gig and would love to meet any friends and/or followers of elobf on the day/night. See you there?Until next "Time" in the ELO [and related] Universe ... KJS ... 24-March-2017

Whilst Bev underlined his disappointment at not being able to be at The Barclays Center in Brooklyn, he also echoed the thoughts of many ELO fans in calling specifically for Mik Kaminski, Hugh McDowell, Melvyn Gale and Kelly Groucutt to also be afforded recognition for their parts in the ELO story and thanked the many fans who have supported him throughout his career. Yours Truly KJS and elobeatlesforever (elobf) truly hopes that Roy Wood will be joining Jeff and Richard on stage on the night. In the meantime, here are Bev's words in full thus:

"Unfortunately I will not be able to attend ELO’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame due to the fact that I am on tour in the UK with another great friend of Jeff, Richard and Roy ... the legend that is ‘Jasper Carrott’. These dates have been sold out for sometime and when the news broke about our induction it was too late to change them. It would have been fantastic to meet up with Roy, Jeff and Richard again. I would also like to mention a few other names that I think should be recognised as part of what made ELO so magical - in particular Mik Kaminski, Hugh McDowell, Melvyn Gale and the late Kelly Groucutt. It truly is a great honour to be a part of the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame especially when I see the names of the inductees over the years … many are my heroes, some I have had the honour to meet and others the privilege to share a stage with. I have been incredibly fortunate to have had a life in the music business from my first band ‘Rocking Ronnie & The Renegades’ to ‘Black Sabbath’ and all the bits in between including The Move, Denny Laine & The Diplomats, Carl Wayne & The Vikings, Quill, The Electric Light Orchestra, the Brum Rocks concerts, Stand Up & Rock and more … surrounded by great talented musicians. It has been a blast and I still get a buzz every time I walk out on stage. However, I would like to add that without the support of the record buying and concert going public my great career could never have happened. So a huge thank you goes out to everyone who has ever purchased a record that I played on or been to any of the concerts. Hope to see you soon at a gig somewhere. Cheers! Bev Bevan"

Sunday, 19 March 2017

Hello ... Hello ... my old friends ... It's great to see you once again! It was John Lennon who said of Chuck Berry: "If you tried to give rock and roll another name, you might call it Chuck Berry!" ... and he was right. The man credited by many with both creating the Rock 'n' Roll genre with his hanging guitar riffs alongside the seminal classics "Roll Over Beethoven", "No Particular Place To Go", "Rock And Roll Music", "Sweet Little Sixteen", "Johnny B. Goode" and "Maybellene" sadly passed away yesterday (Saturday 18th March) at ninety years of age.

Fans of ELO and The Beatles are especially cognitive of the impact of Chuck Berry being as both The Fab Four and the Electric Light Orchestra are well known for their covers of "Roll Over Beethoven", both in the studio and, of course, in their live performances. You'll find it nestled nicely within "With The Beatles" and, of course, an eight minute plus rockin' stringed homage in ELO's second studio album "ELO II".

Hence the name Chuck Berry has always been synonymous with both ELO and The Beatles. It was during those legendary "Do It With The Light On" gigs in the US that the live reputation of ELO was cemented, rewarding them with a respectable #42 in the Billboard 100(UA-XW173W) as well as a #6 hit in the UK (HAR5063). Both releases were backed by the Jeff Lynne penned "Queen Of The Hours", taken from ELO's debut long player although early withdrawn copies, somewhat surprisingly, featured "Manhattan Rumble (49th Street Massacre)".

"Roll Over Beethoven" will forever be a part of the ELO discography ...

"Roll Over Beethoven" remains the encore of choice whether it be for ELO, Jeff Lynne, the growing number of ELO tribute bands and/or the many ELO offshoots featuring former members. As recently as Friday night, "Roll Over Beethoven" was the rousing finale to an excellent Trembling Wilburys gig in Birmingham, once again emphasizing the legacy (and contribution) of this inspirational musician, songwriter and lyricist to The Beatlesand ELO stories.

Farewell Chuck Berry - we dig your Rhythm and Blues.

Until next "Time" in the ELO [and related] Universe ... KJS ... 19-March-2017

Musicians and bands who focus their attention on The Traveling Wilburys - the ultimate super group of them all - are few and far between. This fact alone makes The Trembling Wilburys both unique and appealing to the fans and followers of not only The Fab Five but also each individual Wilbury and their extensive careers across various genres. Thirty one (31) songs were performed yesterday evening in a gig that lasted well over two hours starting with a fantastic octet of classics by The Big O sung magnificently and accurately by Dave Collison.

The remainder of the first set saw The Tremblers deliver stunning live reworkings such as "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", "Something", "I Won't Back Down", "If Not For You" and an almost skifflesque"Hold On Tight". Thereafter, we were treated a second set including twelve Wilbury tunes with "Runaway" and "Roll Over Beethoven" aptly wrapping things up. The four vocalists on show - Dave Collison, Marko Laver, Glen Knowler and Andy McNish - all do a magnificent job when they combine their talents with guitar wizard Dzal Martin, keys maestro Howard Robin and founding percussionist Dave Stark to reproduce these collected Wilbury works - and it was no different last night. Highlights for me (and there were a few) were undoubtedly (if not already mentioned) "Tweeter And The Monkey Man"(just how does Andy McNish remember all those lyrics?), "Runaway" (acknowledging the contribution of Del Shannon), "Ooby Dooby" (Dzal's guitar solos were sublime all night but this one was memorable in its own right) and "Roll Over Beethoven" (merging the twin covers by ELO and The Beatles).

Whilst I continue to be amazed by the physical and aural likenesses of Glen Knowler to George and Dave Collison as Roy Orbison, it was also nice to see and hear more of Marko Laver and Howard Robin on display not forgetting that the drum work of Dave Stark makes him a more than fitting Ringo Starr or Jim Keltner. Indeed, if you want get an idea as to what a Wilburys concert might actually have sounded like, you should go see these guys yourself!

Wednesday, 15 March 2017

Hello ... Hello ... my old friends ... It's great to see you once again! #1,250: One of the major surprises that Yours Truly KJS encountered after buying my first 7" record"Turn To Stone" (UP36313) in late 1977 and discovering ELO at the age of ten was that when I started to track back to their previous albums, I was amazed that neither "On The Third Day", "Eldorado" or "Face The Music" managed to trouble the Official UK Album Chart.

After a good start with their first two Harvest/EMI albums attaining #32 and #35 respectively and despite singles "Ma Ma Ma Belle" (#22), "Evil Woman" (#10) and "Strange Magic" (#38) all making the Top 40 - not forgetting that "Showdown" also reached #12(although it was not originally a part of the UK release of "On The Third Day") - it really is quite astonishing that these ELO albums did not chart in their home country. Particularly disappointing was the fact that an edited version of "Can't Get It Out Of My Head" failed to make the UK Singles chart too.
Over in the United States, the same albums was an ever improving performance in the Billboard 200 with "On The Third Day" attaining a respectable #52, "Eldorado" deservedly breaching the Top 20 in reaching #16 and "Face The Music" making the breakthrough into the Top 10, also receiving RIAA Gold certification. Doubtless this was the fruit of ELO's many extended tours in the US and their success would continue thereafter for several years.

Yet, back in the UK, despite their reputation for delivering fantastic gigs, ELO struggled in terms of album sales due in part to their change of record label from Harvest/EMI to Warner Bros. to Jet/Polydor and their concentration on the American market (whilst they remained with United Artists during that time). This tragedy was corrected (in a fashion) when all three albums eventually made the UK Album Chart in late 1978 as part of the boxed set "Three Light Years" (JETBX1) whilst managing to reach #38 in the wake of the amazing success of "Out Of The Blue" and those celebrated spaceship dates.

No ELO album failed to chart in the UK thereafter save for this trio (ironically) of ELO compilations: "ELO's Greatest Hits Volume Two" (1992), "Ticket To The Moon: The Very Best Of Electric Light Orchestra" (2007) and "The Essential Electric Light Orchestra" (2011).

Looking back from here in Yours Truly 2017, it is still quite galling to think that the aforementioned Electric Light Orchestra studio albums failed to chart upon release in the UK - even their critically acclaimed concept masterpiece "Eldorado" was considered a commercial flop. Surprising ain't the word. Undeserved is the better adjective.Until next "Time" in the ELO [and related] Universe ... KJS ... 15-March-2017

Monday, 13 March 2017

Hello ... Hello ... my old friends ... It's great to see you once again! A second official press release was received by Yours Truly KJS and elobeatlesforever (elobf) over the weekend on the subject of The Beatles Vinyl Collection, as heavily advertised recently on TV, radio and social media here in the UK. A video is now available to view featuring Sean Magee(the Abbey Road Mastering Engineer who cut the vinyl masters and oversaw the pressings of the new collection) as well as Beatles Historian and Radio Producer Kevin Howlett(who wrote the new Beatles Vinyl Collection magazines). The video (see below) contains brief interviews where The Beatles Vinyl Collection, the reason The Beatles' albums sound so good, the quality of the vinyl today versus that of 40 years ago and the importance of The Beatles' albums are discussed.

Sunday, 12 March 2017

Hello ... Hello ... my old friends ... It's great to see you once again! The ELO Encounter made their long awaited bow in Birmingham last night (Saturday 11th March) at The Roadhouse - just a few short miles from Shard End - and proceeded to deliver a stunning performance of ELO classics which had the packed house of Brummies singing in unison (and approval) with Yours Truly KJS also purring in admiration.

The ELO Encounter are very much a family affair, based in Essex and headed up by Simon Rownes, who hails from Codsall just a mile or so from elobeatlesforever (elobf) HQ and features sons Jack, Henry and Max alongside Martin Donald, Jasmine Ali and Simon Dove. I've been privy to seeing not a few ELO tribute bands down the years but in all honesty, my first encounter with The ELO Encounter left me mightily impressed.

The set list was inventive with traditional encores "Don't Bring Me Down" and "Roll Over Beethoven" played much earlier and a clever double dose of "Mr. Blue Sky", one foreshortened and the other a rousing finale. Twenty nine (29) songs were played including "Great Balls Of Fire"(evoking memories of ELO's "Do It With The Light On" campaign) and "Nightrider" (a song I've not heard live for ages). The absolute highlight of the evening for me (and there were many others including violinist Jasmine Ali singing "Xanadu") had to be hearing "Here Is The News" live for the first "Time".

This band works both in visual and audio terms. They switched between ballad, rocker and tempo with ease whilst retaining their own character. Helped by an impressive PA set up and the ace acoustics in the venue, The ELO Encounter did much justice to the ELO sound and arrangements as imagined by Jeff Lynne. In particular, the vocals and keyboard skills of Jack Rownes ensured a lovely tone with bassist, guitarist, percussionist and violinist all combining to deliver a show that left me "Blown Away". Very much looking forward to encountering ELOE again soon!

Last but not least, a mention for Black Country based support act Doctor Greenwood who were rather good too (despite a broken bass string during their set), especially with their take on "With A Little Help From My Friends".

Friday, 10 March 2017

Hello ... Hello ... my old friends ... It's great to see you once again! You know you have good musical pedigree when your father is ELO and Wizzard legend Bill Hunt and your cousin is none other than Miles Hunt of The Wonder Stuff fame. "Momentary Romance" (Barley Records #MHM001) is the debut mini-album from Will Hunt and is evidence that the family traditions are in good hands.

Fresh from his recent double 'BB' side antics with The Ancient Order Of Froth Blowers, Will has put together an impressive six (6) song offering replete with sublime vocal arrangements accompanied by pensive lyrics and subtle strings. "Theme Park Suicide" is the opener, a lovely opening duet with Jaymay with its fairground theme of roller coaster relationships. Title track "Momentary Romance" oozes class with a summery feel and to it. Co-producer George Shilling (Sundae Club) plays all the string parts with Dad Bill lending a hand to accordion, piano and organ whilst the ultra-talented Abi K supplies the delicate female harmonies aside from "Theme Park Suicide". The whole album is atmospheric with an ambient orchestrated jazzy feel throughout and quite delightful. Hard to choose a fave because this sextet of songs all compliment each other perfectly. "Momentary Romance" is more mellow than ELO, the perfect preamble to what one hopes will be a long and fruitful career for Will Hunt and hugely engaging. (9/10)